One Piece: The Deadly

A few days had passed since the tragedy at Garmella. The crew was back to their usual antics, the laughter and banter that defined the Thousand Sunny slowly returning. It was as if the destruction of Garmella had never happened—at least on the surface. Kikidori, though, couldn't shake the heaviness in his chest. The images of the island sinking, of the innocent lives lost, still haunted his mind. But life on the ship had to go on, and the Straw Hats were determined to keep moving forward.

Kikidori found himself trailing behind Zoro once again, as he usually did. The swordsman had grown used to the kid's incessant following by now, though he'd never admit it. Kikidori wasn't sure what had drawn him to Zoro specifically, but maybe it was the fact that Zoro seemed to understand him in a way no one else did. Zoro wasn't the type to ask questions or give speeches. He simply existed in a way that Kikidori could relate to. Maybe that was what made him feel... comfortable.

Kikidori's thoughts wandered as he walked beside Zoro. He was lost in the rhythm of the ship and the peacefulness of the open sea, but every so often, his mind drifted back to memories of his parents. He remembered the sounds of the giant's roar echoing through the village, the crash that had shattered his world, and then, the silence that followed. The memory still hurt, but it was something Kikidori had to carry with him.

"Oi, Zoro," Kikidori said, looking up at the swordsman. "Teach me how to use a sword, okay?"

Zoro didn't respond immediately, but Kikidori had learned to read the subtle gestures—the slight narrowing of his eyes, the half-hearted grunt. Zoro wasn't thrilled about teaching a kid to fight, but it was a routine by now.

As they walked, Kikidori's thoughts wandered to his family again. He remembered the comforting embrace of his mother, the way his father had always given him that reassuring smile before going off to train. But his mind wandered, and before he realized it, he blurted something that slipped out unfiltered.

"Dad, can you show me—"

He froze mid-sentence.

His heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened in horror. He had just called Zoro "dad."

For a brief moment, everything around him seemed to freeze. Kikidori's face turned bright red, and he immediately took a step back, his hands instinctively raised as if to apologize for the accidental slip.

"W-What did I—?" Kikidori stammered, unsure whether to laugh awkwardly or run and hide.

The rest of the crew had heard it too. They all paused, turning their heads to look at the scene in shock, surprise, and a hint of confusion.

Nami raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. "Did you just call Zoro 'dad'?"

The crew, who had been engaged in their own activities just moments ago, started to laugh softly. Even Luffy grinned at the slip, while Sanji puffed his cigarette, giving Kikidori a wink. "Oho, looks like Zoro's got a kid now."

Zoro, of course, wasn't fazed by the comment. His usually stoic expression remained unchanged, though a vein twitched on his forehead. He was silent for a moment, but then, in his usual gruff tone, he muttered, "It's not what you think, brat. Get your head out of the clouds."

But Kikidori didn't laugh, and neither did the rest of the crew. A heavy silence fell over the group as they all realized what had just happened.

Kikidori stood still, his eyes now cast downward, unable to meet anyone's gaze. The casual nature of his mistake was suddenly shattered by the weight of the past. He hadn't meant to say that. He hadn't meant to make them all feel this way, to show them that part of him—the part that was still a child, looking for someone to take care of him.

Kikidori's parents had died years ago in a tragic accident on Elbaf. He'd been just a child, too young to understand the danger but old enough to be devastated by the loss. Elbaf, a place known for its giants and warriors, was a dangerous place for a kid—especially one without the protection of parents. So, they had sent him to a port town to live with distant relatives. That's when he had joined the Straw Hats, seeking an adventure that could give him the family he'd lost.

Zoro didn't say anything for a while, and Kikidori didn't press him. The tension in the air was thick. The crew wasn't insensitive to what Kikidori had lost, though they couldn't know exactly what it felt like.

But then, in his usual blunt way, Zoro said something that made Kikidori feel a little better.

"You don't have to worry about that, kid," Zoro said, finally looking down at him. "I'm not your dad. But I'm not gonna let anything happen to you either. Got it?"

Kikidori looked up at Zoro, his eyes wide, unsure how to respond. The words were simple, but somehow, they carried weight.

"...Thanks," Kikidori mumbled, his voice small but genuine.

The crew, sensing the moment of seriousness, gave them a few moments of silence. Nami smiled softly, while Luffy, ever the optimist, piped up with a cheerful, "That's right! We're all family, right? So don't worry about it, Kikidori!"

Kikidori nodded, finally feeling the warmth of the crew's acceptance wash over him. He wasn't alone anymore. He had a family now—a ragtag crew of pirates who, in their own way, had become his home.

Even if Zoro would never be his dad, Kikidori could still look up to him like a big brother—a mentor, someone who understood what it meant to survive in this world.

"Alright, now, let's get back to training," Zoro grumbled, seemingly embarrassed by the whole ordeal.

Kikidori smiled, feeling a little more at peace than he had in a while. He was part of something now. And no matter what happened, the Straw Hat Pirates would always have his back.

End of Chapter 17